But, whats the difference between a passport book vs card. A passport card serves the same purpose as a passport book. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Aside from the size, a passport book and a passport card difference is that the latter cannot be used when traveling abroad via air, the passport book is required. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. If i have the passport card does that slow things down. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Us passport renewal process how to renew your us passport by mail. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. I will be on the wonder s caribbean cruise in january 2010. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. A us passport card is a passport product, much like a us passport book. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. In the united states, travelers have two options to use for international travel.
If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. Both may be applied for simultaneously by paying the respective fees for each. For flight travel abroad you will need a new passport book by mid 2009. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The purpose of the passport card is to offer a more convenient option than a regular passport book for us residents who frequently cross the border, typically by. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
See all passport fees for more information only one valid passport can be held by individual citizens of the united states, unless authorized otherwise of the us department of state. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. Apply for a passport card united states department of state. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. It attests to your united states citizenship and your identity.
Be aware of the fact that a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. The passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book.
It can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, and many caribbean islands, but it is not valid for any international travel by air. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using. The passport card is only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. The passport book and the passport card are both valid passport that will attest to your identity as well as citizenship. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. See below the differences between a passport book vs. The us passport card is an important travel document. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean.
The application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. You cannot use the us passport card for air travel at all. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. Your local drugstore or photo print lab likely will take it for a few bucks. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. While the application process is the same for either option, these documents have several differences. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. The only reason i got the passport cards at all instead of just using their birth certificates is that we already do some ministry work that requires us to bring either a birth certificate or governmentissued photo id, so rather than just tote the birth certificates all. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. If you need to get a passport in three weeks or less, you will need an expedited process.
Some passport acceptance facilities will provide photo service onsite. The passport card contains a vicinityread radio frequency identification rfid chip. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. However, the card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of. With a passport id card, you can travel to certain countries using specific forms of transportation. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course.
If you plan on leaving the country and do not want to purchase a full passport book, the card is an option you may want to consider. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Processing times for passport cards and passport books. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The passport book and the passport card have the same validity which is 10 years for children 15 years old or younger, the validity is only 5 years. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products.
New mexico passport books vs cards you must decide whether you need the card or the book before you submit your application. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is right for you. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. Expedited processing is available in return for payment of additional fees. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. If you apply for a passport card it will be issued valid for 10 years regardless of the expiration date of your passport book.
Jun 23, 2009 i will be on the wonder s caribbean cruise in january 2010. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. Shes an avid coffee drinker and enjoys researching new topics for writing.
In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Routine processing times for the passport card or passport book range from 46 weeks or longer.
Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. If you do not have upcoming travel plans, you can visit your post office. Us passport book and passport card online application. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one passport photo and the required fee. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your us citizenship.
There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. You have to go in person to present your application. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. What is the differences between passport book vs passport.
The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. The us passport card is good for land and sea travel from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean into the united states. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps. Nov 22, 2019 the cost between passport book vs passport card.
Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Jun 16, 2016 passport cards are a cardsized version of a us passport. Passport cards are a cardsized version of a us passport. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. A citizen or national is allowed to hold both a passport card and a passport book.
State department issues two versions of a passport. You can take your own photo, but you must follow some key instructions in order for it. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if you already have a passport book.
Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel.
A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Difference between passport book and passport card.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.